Basically there is an article about Jeremy Lin. It notes he is about at 85% and thinks it smarter to wait till he is 100%. It notes Woodson saying Lin can't do much at all. It also ignores the fact the Knicks won't clear him to play. Lin also talks about how much he owes the knicks, if Woodson should be coach. THat's fine, it just lists facts, right? Lots of info.

The article's byline to click on it - LIN REFUSES TO PLAY AT 85%.

I mean come on. Can we editorialize a little more in the headlines? WTF is this from? ESPN has decided he is a sworn enemy of Lebron and therefore of them? They couldn't think up a good headline with *****?

The article is not about Lin refusing to play, nor does it state he refused to play. I don't get it.

A day or two ago I saw a First Take segment where they discussed whether or not Lin is just ducking the Heat because he's scared. BEFORE ANYONE JUMPS ON ME: I don't think that's what's going on, I think he's just hurt I take the team/player's word on injury unless there's strong evidence to the contrary. But ESPN, I believe, is feeding the narrative that he doesn't want to get embarrassed heading into his free agency. Not that he's LBJ's enemy, just that James is so intimidating to other players that a guy would duck playing his team in the playoffs out of fear of damaging their own market value.

but yahoo is saying 'NOT WILLING' instead. either way, Lin is being smart about this. however the news is reporting it, it doesnt change the perception of Lin and Linsanity. he will be loved anyway

Only if he's good. That kind of crazed fad has to be fueled to last. If he's a 12 and 5 player after the first month of next season everyone will shrug and move on. Also, he has to stay in New York. Meaning if some team goes nuts and signs him to a max offer sheet and the Knicks cut ties he's going to be Rashard Lewis.

I don't care if ESPN wants to speculate if he could play but is not. But do that in the article. Put a ?. What they are doing is out and out saying in the headline he is refusing to play but he can. And then in the verbiage, nothing. Because they'd get crap for it.

I know ESPN's news credibility is lacking but this is more National Enquirer type baiting with headlines.

That's the stupid media for you. They lift you up and knock you down. Look at Lebron last year. Blake Griffin this year. Lin also. And the tools follow this shit because it's on twitter or espn like mindless drones. If you know the truth than just ignore all of the hate.

ESPN's talking heads also have basically rewrote last year's finals too that Lebron didn't choke, he simply had some sort of reaction to a cosmic anomaly that should be excused because we don't know what caused it. He stopped playing, but it's weird he stopped, so he didn't really stop, because that is too weird.

That's the stupid media for you. They lift you up and knock you down. Look at Lebron last year. Blake Griffin this year. Lin also. And the tools follow this shit because it's on twitter or espn like mindless drones. If you know the truth than just ignore all of the hate.

but we cant just look away. we as people must fight the good fight against hate and the forces who lead the masses to evil.
positivity must prevail in human kind and all kinds.
haven't we learned anything from star wars?

in all fairness, most of the people at espn (not smith and bayless) were dismissing the notion of another man other than lin being capable of knowing wether he can play or not as completely idiotic.

That's writing 101. Sports Writers, and Internet column writers, are on my top 3 of things I hate. They use stupid titles that are often incorrect to get people to click their work. Jeremy Lin never said he refused to play, but having a title "Lin REFUSES to play at 85%" will get people to click the link because you assume Lin doesn't want to play because he's scared or that he won't be playing until next year. But the title is more tempting then saying "Lin is at 85%"

That's writing 101. Sports Writers, and Internet column writers, are on my top 3 of things I hate. They use stupid titles that are often incorrect to get people to click their work. Jeremy Lin never said he refused to play, but having a title "Lin REFUSES to play at 85%" will get people to click the link because you assume Lin doesn't want to play because he's scared or that he won't be playing until next year. But the title is more tempting then saying "Lin is at 85%"

It's not something legitimate news organizations are supposed to do. Plus i am already on ESPN the site looking at NBA news. For their type of business, it's not necessary. They are not a message board or a rumors site.